How to Adopt a Pet

Is a Pet Right for You?

Can you provide the love, patience, time and commitment needed to settle a pet into his or her new home?

Can you offer the right environment to keep a pet happy and comfortable, and to be part of your family and home?

Can you afford the cost of food, veterinary bills and equipment that a pet may need?

Can you care for a pet - or make sure he or she is cared for - EVERY SINGLE DAY?

If you think you can give a new home to one of our pets, please read on...

Adoption Guidelines

Last Updated: June 2009

1. If adoption request is genuine, our personnel will have a friendly interview/visit to potential home - this is to ensure both parties, new owners/animal are suitable for each other. In the case of a junior wanting to adopt, we need to talk to the parents first to ensure they are in agreement with their child having a new pet in the family.



2. If all are in agreement, there is the standard Adoption form to fill up and agreement to all our required conditions.



3. The animal, if not yet vaccinated/spayed/neutered, is to go for a general checkup/treatment at a Veterinary Clinic. If possible, the animal is immediately vaccinated to prevent it picking up any infection or disease. In some case, it is spayed/neutered at the same time.



4. The home surroundings of the potential owner is also taken into consideration to ensure the new family member will be safe from harm or danger. This is done by our Inspectorate personnel who will do follow-up visits from time to time until the animal has safely settled in.



5. Any animal that has been adopted by anyone cannot be given away to others or moved to another location without our prior knowledge or permission of SPCA.

The above terms and conditions are set out to prevent the pet from ending up on the street.

To select available pets, please browse our available pets. Once you have selected a pet you would like to adopt, fill out the "Contact Pet Owner" online form and SPCA Kota Kinabalu will arrange for a pre-adoption interview and home visit.

Heading Home with Your New Pet

After the interview process, you are able to take your new pet home in most cases. To make sure you are prepared for that first night at home, here is a helpful list of what to have at home:

• Food and fresh water
• Leash and collar (for dogs)
• Bowls
• Litterbox and litter (for cat)
• Bed
• Crate (for dog)
• Transport carrier (for cat)

Pet Licensing Information

Every dog (6 months and above) must be licensed. A dog licence can be obtained at the Health Section, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu DBKK), 7th Floor, Centre Point Sabah building.

A dog licence for each dog costs RM10 for female and RM5 for male. The licence is in the form of a medallion, given immediately after payment and registration. A dog licence must be renewed each year before 31 January.